as i sit here at amsterdam airport waiting on my next flight, i can't help but be thankful for all of you who have been a part of my life. whether i have known you for many years or if i have only known you for less than that. each of you have been used to guide me to where i am. i believe God uses His people to speak. i believe He encourages, strengthens, challenges, loves, and guides us through the body of Christ.
i also can't help but reflect on the last time i was sitting here at starbucks in amsterdam. paying $7 for a tall coffee, sleeping on the couches, and getting to know each other. i was with my team from passion city church. and so as i sit here, i remember them! i am thankful for the relationships and friendships that were established through those 2 weeks loving on babies together. that trip we took had a huge impact on why i am returning. little did i know 1 year later, i would be moving to uganda. :)
for those who don't know the timeline and how quickly God moves here's what it looked like for me:
Sept 2010 - spent 2 weeks in uganda with watoto children's ministry. met my friend kelsey young (co-founder of ROWAN)
Jan 2011 - kelsey was in the states & came to texas to speak to several groups at church (from that point we began discussing a summer trip)
June 2011 - kelsey shares with me about the family she is living with needs a full-time tutor for Graham (who in fact is from Mawanga village that ROWAN is working in). met amy (the mom) and discussed the details.
Aug 1, 2011 - stepped in faith and bought a plane ticket
Sept 26 - i left for Uganda. moving in with the rodgers family, helping graham at the international school, and working alongside ROWAN
it blows me away of how quickly God moves when we are open to see it! every part has all worked in accordance to His ultimate purpose in furthering His kingdom!
off to entebbe....
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
my last night in the states...
its almost 3am as i am writing this. my flight leaves in 13hrs. i am about to take my 3 bags and move to uganda. it has come so quickly and it all feels surreal. but as much as i can be, i ready. i'm ready to get back to my second home and i'm looking forward to sharing it with you!
on the eve of my departure, many of my family and friends came by to "send me off" to uganda. i absolutely loved getting to see so many people. my heart was encouraged by our conversations, prayers, and worship. what a beautiful picture of the body of Christ! i am so grateful for the relationships i have been blessed with here in cleburne. God has used each one to spur me on and make me more like Him. no matter where i am, God has been gracious to bless me with wonderful friendships. i am looking ahead to who He will introduce me with and allow me to walk next to in life while living in uganda.
here are a few pictures from tonight...
thank you again for everyone's love, support and prayers! seriously, my spirit has been lifted because of you. i anxiously look forward to sharing the journey with you! my love goes out to you and the next time you hear from me i will be in route or in uganda!!! :)
on the eve of my departure, many of my family and friends came by to "send me off" to uganda. i absolutely loved getting to see so many people. my heart was encouraged by our conversations, prayers, and worship. what a beautiful picture of the body of Christ! i am so grateful for the relationships i have been blessed with here in cleburne. God has used each one to spur me on and make me more like Him. no matter where i am, God has been gracious to bless me with wonderful friendships. i am looking ahead to who He will introduce me with and allow me to walk next to in life while living in uganda.
here are a few pictures from tonight...
britt and i
my friend jennifer drove all the way from dallas!
i just love her! thank you for coming!
the buren 3
sweet prayer time!
Vickie and some of the Ford crew!
Britton, Anna (left); JJ and the girls plus josh (right)
dad and us
thank you again for everyone's love, support and prayers! seriously, my spirit has been lifted because of you. i anxiously look forward to sharing the journey with you! my love goes out to you and the next time you hear from me i will be in route or in uganda!!! :)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
a trip down south
sept 9-12 i was down in new braunfels for one of my best friends bachelorette party. we had a blast hanging out at the lake, going to dinner in gruene, and teepeeing the house of the bachelor party (we ended up getting caught and some of us got thrown in the lake). i also got to spend time with my sister, jamie, and her family before i leave the country. much needed fun and refreshing weekend! here are a few pictures of the weekend below...
my precious friend sarah!
love all the boots
my beautiful friend sarah!
gruene, tx
the amazing sunset at my sister's house
i head back down on thursday for the big celebration weekend of sarah marrying matthew! i can't wait to to spend time with them as we honor them on what will just be the beginning of life together!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
from months. to weeks. now DAYS.
i have just 7 days to have everything....either packed up in my bags or packed up to store. it has been a few weeks of stress, errands, packing, list making, and trying to prepare my heart and mind for the journey ahead.
i have days of excitement and energy. then days of overwhelming stress. i am starting to feel the tug between the two worlds. i am in the transition period. which for me is hard. i am packing up my life here but yet i'm still here for a week. i am trying to spend time with loved ones which brings the emotions and reality of me leaving, but yet i am trying to look at all the exciting adventures ahead! it is that push and pull. these moments and feelings are inevitable. they are just sometimes difficult to endure.
it is weird for me to think a week from wednesday, i will be waking up to the sounds, smells, and feel of africa. yes i will be living with an american family so the culture of the home will be similar to what i know here, but still surrounding me will be everything africa. it will be everything, i know, i hope for. as i wake up in uganda, you will be going to sleep in america. the difference in time. the difference in communicating. the difference in life. my world is about to collide.
though worlds apart. we both will still be living life. still striving for goals we have set. still dealing with struggles. still working hard. whether that is going to school at a university, being involved in a sorority or church group, leading small groups, working 8 to 5, being a tutor, a babysitter, a mom, a caretaker, a counselor. though we may have different tasks and living in different locations dealing with a variety of things, we have a common purpose. the purpose to which we were called in carrying the name of Jesus to others. may we recognize that we are a unified body, placed specifically by the Lord in unique areas to fulfill His plans in our lives. acknowledging that it is not about us, but ALL about Him!
may we continue to be unified in spirit to encourage, strengthen, and pray for one another.
i have days of excitement and energy. then days of overwhelming stress. i am starting to feel the tug between the two worlds. i am in the transition period. which for me is hard. i am packing up my life here but yet i'm still here for a week. i am trying to spend time with loved ones which brings the emotions and reality of me leaving, but yet i am trying to look at all the exciting adventures ahead! it is that push and pull. these moments and feelings are inevitable. they are just sometimes difficult to endure.
it is weird for me to think a week from wednesday, i will be waking up to the sounds, smells, and feel of africa. yes i will be living with an american family so the culture of the home will be similar to what i know here, but still surrounding me will be everything africa. it will be everything, i know, i hope for. as i wake up in uganda, you will be going to sleep in america. the difference in time. the difference in communicating. the difference in life. my world is about to collide.
though worlds apart. we both will still be living life. still striving for goals we have set. still dealing with struggles. still working hard. whether that is going to school at a university, being involved in a sorority or church group, leading small groups, working 8 to 5, being a tutor, a babysitter, a mom, a caretaker, a counselor. though we may have different tasks and living in different locations dealing with a variety of things, we have a common purpose. the purpose to which we were called in carrying the name of Jesus to others. may we recognize that we are a unified body, placed specifically by the Lord in unique areas to fulfill His plans in our lives. acknowledging that it is not about us, but ALL about Him!
may we continue to be unified in spirit to encourage, strengthen, and pray for one another.
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